Short Summary

Malawi suffered a 4-0 defeat in Lusaka on Sunday (9 May) when they were beaten by Zambia in an African Zone qualifying match for the 1978 World Cup.

Description

Malawi suffered a 4-0 defeat in Lusaka on Sunday (9 May) when they were beaten by Zambia in an African Zone qualifying match for the 1978 World Cup.

A capacity crowd of over 65,000 spectators, including Zambia's President Kenneth Kaunda, watched the match at the Independence Stadium. It was not long before they had something to cheer about.

In the 11th minute Zambia's Willie Phiri moved up the left wing and sent a high ball into the Malawi penalty area. Malawi's left-back, Steven Phiri, managed to bring the ball down, but as he tried to pass it back to his goalkeeper, Boniface Maganga, he fumbled and sent it into the back of his own net.

Zambia's lead was increased to 2-0 just before the whistle went for half-time. Centre-forward, Bernard Chanda took a pass from his team mate, Moses Simwala, and fired the ball past Managa.

The strong playing by Zambia continued to pay off in the second half. Simwala took a corner and Willie Phiri was there to score Zambia's third goal.

Malawi came close to scoring when Mosted Sichinga intercepted a pass by Zambia's Alex Chola and crossed to Henry Tewesa. Chama Nyama was waiting in the centre, but he headed the ball into the hands of Zambia's goalkeeper, Abraham Nkole.

It was a bad day for Boniface Maganga in Malawi's goal. Alex Chola sent the ball into the penalty area, Chamangwana intercepted and passed back to his goalkeeper. But it caught Maganga unawares - and the ball was in the back of the net for Zambia's fourth goal.

The second match in the qualifying round will be played in the Malawi capital of Blantyre on 30 May.

SYNOPSIS: Zambia - with the white stripe on their shorts - kicked off against Malawi in a qualifying match for the 1978 World Cup. A capacity crowd of over 65,000 spectators, including the Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, turned up to watch at Lusaka's Independence Stadium.

The match was one of those taking place in the African Zone of the qualifying games. Others will happen around the world until only 16 countries are left for the finals in Argentina in 1978. But Zambia weren't looking that far ahead and concentrated on getting a good lead to take to the second tie against Malawi.

The scoreline stood at 0-0 after 10 minutes of the first half but the home crowd soon had something to shout about. Zambia's Willie Phiri sent a high ball into the Malawi penalty area and a fumbled pass by Malawi's Steven Phiri gave Zambia their first goal.

Zambia kept the pressure up on Malawi but attacks by Jani Simulambo and Kaiser Kalambo came to nothing.

The just before half-time centre-forward, Bernard Chanda took a pass from team mate Moses Simwala and fired it into the net making it 2-0 to Zambia.

It was turning out to be a very good day for the home crowd. And their team didn't disappoint them during the second half as Moses Simwala came up to take a corner. Willie phiri was there to make it 3-0 to Zambia.

An own goal by Malawi's Chamangwana gave Zambia a 4-0 lead for the next tie in Malawi on 30 May.